Top companies from Northern Ireland’s digital media, cyber security, fintech and sports tech sectors have completed a two-day business mission to London where they engaged with senior leaders from the capital’s business community.

The companies included Cyberlytic, Beezer, The Tomorrow Lab, IT Guarded and Heritage Fund Services.

Organised by Belfast Partners, and supported by Belfast City Council, the mission culminated in a networking reception (Thursday November 23) at the Mansion House, official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London.

Hosted by the Lord Mayor of the City of London Rt. Hon. Charles Bowman, 175 attendees to the gala event heard about Belfast’s investment opportunities, its innovative companies and quality of life.

Keynote speakers for the event included Councillor Nuala McAllister, Lord Mayor of Belfast Rt. Hon. James Brokenshire MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Patrick Magee Chief Commercial Officer of the British Business Bank and Suzanne Wylie, Chief Executive of Belfast City Council.

Powered by flickr embed.Founder Karena Vaughan set up Belfast Partners after seeing “the fantastic work” carried out by Manchester Birmingham and Liverpool in promoting their cities as a place to do business.

“I felt there was a need for Belfast to do something similar and ensure the city is on the decision-making radar for organisations considering new investment and purchasing opportunities,” she says.

“My aim for this week’s business mission is to ensure that local businesses see a significant return on investment in terms of new business opportunities that they can actively work on.”

She added: “From the London perspective, I'm sure investors will be well-informed about the value the Belfast offers as a business location, and that products and services offered by local companies can bring real value to their business.”

The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Nuala McAllister, commented: “Coming on the heels of the announcement from the Chancellor around negotiations for a City Deal for the Belfast region, this event underpins the importance of building connections with key decision-makers and influencers, and opening up those lines of communication for the benefit of not just Belfast, but the entire economy of Northern Ireland.

“It is crucial that we connect with other international cities if we are to compete on a global stage, and this will be a fantastic opportunity to meet with decision-makers face to face and sell our city, as it were.”

Belfast City Council Chief Executive, Suzanne Wylie, added: “Our Belfast Agenda sets out clear ambitions to create 50,000 new jobs by 2035 , continue our excellent track record of foreign direct investment, and to attract £1 billion investment towards real estate and regeneration projects to transform the city and create vibrant communities and neighbourhoods over the next four years.

“The Belfast Partners initiative gives us an opportunity to market Belfast and make important connections which will help to deliver real results for Belfast and the surrounding region.”

Established in March 2016, Belfast Partners is a business networking initiative that connects Belfast with other fast-growth international cities. It provides opportunities for Belfast’s city executive leaders and its companies to tap into new business potential and for investors to quickly access information on property investment and new job creation.

In addition to expanding into Ireland next year, Belfast Partners plans to bring together investors and buyers from London and Dublin for a networking dinner at Belfast City Hall in March 2018.